photo by Dave Lichterman
Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Each and every Friday we offer songs by local artists. Today’s selection, featured on the Afternoon Show with Kevin Cole, is “Palms Will Smoke in Cold Air” by The Pica Beats from their latest album Better in Color self-released via Calm Yourself with Corduroy Music.
As you settle into the long weekend ahead (yay!), we offer up this aural treat from The Pica Beats whose third full-length came out late last year. Though some of their members now reside in Portland, this Seattle-based quartet led by Ryan Barrett made waves with their 2008 Hardly Art debut, Beating Back the Claws of the Cold, which was populated with Egyptian gods, demons and the like and was folky and poppy and sweetly addicting. Move forward three years and Ryan and co have put down their sitars and acoustic guitars and plugged in the synth. They may have retained the snappy lyrics that belie their gloomy intents and knack for making music that sticks in your head, but this new streamlined style was meant for the stage. You can catch Ryan et al at The Comet on Friday, February 3rd. More information and future dates are available on their website. In the meantime, here is their recent performance live at the KEXP Studios.
